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Liu T, He Q, Yang X, Li Y, Yuan D, Lu Q, Tang T, Guan G, Zheng L, Zhang H, Xia C, Yin X, Wei G, Chen X, Lu F, Wang L. An Immunocompetent Mongolian Gerbil Model for Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 1 Infection. Gastroenterology 2024; 167:750-763.e10. [PMID: 38582270 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2024.03.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatitis E virus (HEV), primarily genotype 1 (HEV-1), causes approximately 20.1 million infections, 44,000 deaths, and 3000 stillbirths annually. Current evidence indicates that HEV-1 is only transmitted in humans. Here, we evaluated whether Mongolian gerbils can serve as animal models for HEV-1 infection. METHODS Mongolian gerbils were used for HEV-1 and hepatitis E virus genotype 3 infection experiments. HEV infection parameters, including detection of HEV RNA and HEV antigen, liver function assessment, and histopathology, were evaluated. RESULTS We adapted a clinical isolate of HEV-1 for Mongolian gerbils by serial passaging in feces of aged male gerbils. The gerbil-adapted strain obtained at passage 3 induced a robust, acute HEV infection, characterized by stable fecal virus shedding, elevated liver enzymes, histopathologic changes in the liver, and seroconversion to anti-HEV. An infectious complementary DNA clone of the adapted virus was generated. HEV-1-infected pregnant gerbils showed a high rate of maternal mortality and vertical transmission. HEV RNA or antigens were detected in the liver, kidney, intestine, placenta, testis, and fetus liver. Liver and placental transcriptomic analyses indicated activation of host immunity. Tacrolimus prolonged HEV-1 infection, whereas ribavirin cleared infection. The protective efficacy of a licensed HEV vaccine was validated using this model. CONCLUSIONS HEV-1 efficiently infected Mongolian gerbils. This HEV-1 infection model will be valuable for investigating hepatitis E immunopathogenesis and evaluating vaccines and antivirals against HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianxu Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Qiyu He
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyue Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yuebao Li
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Disen Yuan
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Qinghui Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyu Tang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Guiwen Guan
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Liwei Zheng
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - He Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Changyou Xia
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Xin Yin
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Guochao Wei
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangmei Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Fengmin Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
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2
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Wang X, Sheng Y, Ji P, Deng Y, Sun Y, Chen Y, Nan Y, Hiscox JA, Zhou EM, Liu B, Zhao Q. A Broad-specificity Neutralizing Nanobody against Hepatitis E Virus Capsid Protein. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2024; 213:442-455. [PMID: 38905108 PMCID: PMC11299488 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a worldwide zoonotic and public health concern. The study of HEV biology is helpful for designing viral vaccines and drugs. Nanobodies have recently been considered appealing materials for viral biological research. In this study, a Bactrian camel was immunized with capsid proteins from different genotypes (1, 3, 4, and avian) of HEV. Then, a phage library (6.3 × 108 individual clones) was constructed using peripheral blood lymphocytes from the immunized camel, and 12 nanobodies against the truncated capsid protein of genotype 3 HEV (g3-p239) were screened. g3-p239-Nb55 can cross-react with different genotypes of HEV and block Kernow-C1/P6 HEV from infecting HepG2/C3A cells. To our knowledge, the epitope recognized by g3-p239-Nb55 was determined to be a novel conformational epitope located on the surface of viral particles and highly conserved among different mammalian HEV isolates. Next, to increase the affinity and half-life of the nanobody, it was displayed on the surface of ferritin, which can self-assemble into a 24-subunit nanocage, namely, fenobody-55. The affinities of fenobody-55 to g3-p239 were ∼20 times greater than those of g3-p239-Nb55. In addition, the half-life of fenobody-55 was nine times greater than that of g3-p239-Nb55. G3-p239-Nb55 and fenobody-55 can block p239 attachment and Kernow-C1/P6 infection of HepG2/C3A cells. Fenobody-55 can completely neutralize HEV infection in rabbits when it is preincubated with nonenveloped HEV particles. Our study reported a case in which a nanobody neutralized HEV infection by preincubation, identified a (to our knowledge) novel and conserved conformational epitope of HEV, and provided new material for researching HEV biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueting Wang
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Yamin Sheng
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Pinpin Ji
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yingying Deng
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yani Sun
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yiyang Chen
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuchen Nan
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Julian A. Hiscox
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - En-Min Zhou
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Baoyuan Liu
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qin Zhao
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
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3
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Ferrié M, Alexandre V, Montpellier C, Bouquet P, Tubiana T, Mézière L, Ankavay M, Bentaleb C, Dubuisson J, Bressanelli S, Aliouat-Denis CM, Rouillé Y, Cocquerel L. The AP-1 adaptor complex is essential for intracellular trafficking of the ORF2 capsid protein and assembly of Hepatitis E virus. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:335. [PMID: 39117755 PMCID: PMC11335258 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05367-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Although the Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging global health burden, little is known about its interaction with the host cell. HEV genome encodes three proteins including the ORF2 capsid protein that is produced in different forms, the ORF2i protein which is the structural component of viral particles, and the ORF2g/c proteins which are massively secreted but are not associated with infectious material. We recently demonstrated that the endocytic recycling compartment (ERC) is hijacked by HEV to serve as a viral factory. However, host determinants involved in the subcellular shuttling of viral proteins to viral factories are unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the AP-1 adaptor complex plays a pivotal role in the targeting of ORF2i protein to viral factories. This complex belongs to the family of adaptor proteins that are involved in vesicular transport between the trans-Golgi network and early/recycling endosomes. An interplay between the AP-1 complex and viral protein(s) has been described for several viral lifecycles. In the present study, we demonstrated that the ORF2i protein colocalizes and interacts with the AP-1 adaptor complex in HEV-producing or infected cells. We showed that silencing or drug-inhibition of the AP-1 complex prevents ORF2i protein localization in viral factories and reduces viral production in hepatocytes. Modeling of the ORF2i/AP-1 complex also revealed that the S domain of ORF2i likely interacts with the σ1 subunit of AP-1 complex. Hence, our study identified for the first time a host factor involved in addressing HEV proteins (i.e. ORF2i protein) to viral factories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Ferrié
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 9017-CIIL- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, F-59000, France
| | - Virginie Alexandre
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 9017-CIIL- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, F-59000, France
| | - Claire Montpellier
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 9017-CIIL- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, F-59000, France
| | - Peggy Bouquet
- Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, F-59000, France
| | - Thibault Tubiana
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Léa Mézière
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 9017-CIIL- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, F-59000, France
| | - Maliki Ankavay
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 9017-CIIL- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, F-59000, France
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Cyrine Bentaleb
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 9017-CIIL- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, F-59000, France
| | - Jean Dubuisson
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 9017-CIIL- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, F-59000, France
| | - Stéphane Bressanelli
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Cécile-Marie Aliouat-Denis
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 9017-CIIL- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, F-59000, France
| | - Yves Rouillé
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 9017-CIIL- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, F-59000, France
| | - Laurence Cocquerel
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 9017-CIIL- Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, Lille, F-59000, France.
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Kanda T, Li TC, Takahashi M, Nagashima S, Primadharsini PP, Kunita S, Sasaki-Tanaka R, Inoue J, Tsuchiya A, Nakamoto S, Abe R, Fujiwara K, Yokosuka O, Suzuki R, Ishii K, Yotsuyanagi H, Okamoto H. Recent advances in hepatitis E virus research and the Japanese clinical practice guidelines for hepatitis E virus infection. Hepatol Res 2024; 54:1-30. [PMID: 38874115 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.14062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Acute hepatitis E was considered rare until reports emerged affirming the existence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotypes 3 and 4 infections in Japan in the early 2000s. Extensive studies by Japanese researchers have highlighted the pivotal role of pigs and wild animals, such as wild boars and deer, as reservoirs for HEV, linking them to zoonotic infections in Japan. Currently, when hepatitis occurs subsequent to the consumption of undercooked or grilled pork, wild boar meat, or offal (including pig liver and intestines), HEV infection should be considered. Following the approval of anti-HEV immunoglobulin A antibody as a diagnostic tool for hepatitis E by Japan's Health Insurance System in 2011, the annual number of diagnosed cases of HEV infection has surged. Notably, the occurrence of post-transfusion hepatitis E promoted nationwide screening of blood products for HEV using nucleic acid amplification tests since 2020. Furthermore, chronic hepatitis E has been observed in immunosuppressed individuals. Considering the significance of hepatitis E, heightened preventive measures are essential. The Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development Hepatitis A and E viruses (HAV and HEV) Study Group, which includes special virologists and hepatologists, held a virtual meeting on February 17, 2024. Discussions encompassed pathogenesis, transmission routes, diagnosis, complications, severity factors, and ongoing and prospective vaccination or treatments for hepatitis E. Rigorous assessment of referenced studies culminated in the formulation of recommendations, which are detailed within this review. This comprehensive review presents recent advancements in HEV research and Japanese clinical practice guidelines for HEV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuo Kanda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Uonuma Institute of Community Medicine, Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital, Minamiuonuma, Japan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Tian-Cheng Li
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaharu Takahashi
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Shigeo Nagashima
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Putu Prathiwi Primadharsini
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kunita
- Center for Experimental Medicine, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Reina Sasaki-Tanaka
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Jun Inoue
- Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Atsunori Tsuchiya
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Shingo Nakamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ryuzo Abe
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Keiichi Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Japan
| | - Osamu Yokosuka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Suzuki
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Ishii
- Department of Quality Assurance and Radiological Protection, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yotsuyanagi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Advanced Clinical Research Center, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Applied Immunology, Hospital of the Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Okamoto
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
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He Q, Liu T, Yang X, Yuan D, Lu Q, Li Y, Zhang H, Liu X, Xia C, Sridhar S, Tian L, Liu X, Meng L, Ning J, Lu F, Wang L, Yin X, Wang L. Optimization of immunosuppression strategies for the establishment of chronic hepatitis E virus infection in rabbits. J Virol 2024; 98:e0084624. [PMID: 38899900 PMCID: PMC11264948 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00846-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis E mostly occurs in organ transplant recipients and can lead to rapid liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Previous studies found that the development of chronic hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is linked to the type of immunosuppressant used. Animal models are crucial for the study of pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis E. We previously established a stable chronic HEV infection rabbit model using cyclosporine A (CsA), a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-based immunosuppressant. However, the immunosuppression strategy and timing may be optimized, and how different types of immunosuppressants affect the establishment of chronic HEV infection in this model is still unknown. Here, we showed that chronic HEV infection can be established in 100% of rabbits when CsA treatment was started at HEV challenge or even 4 weeks after. Tacrolimus or prednisolone treatment alone also contributed to chronic HEV infection, resulting in 100% and 77.8% chronicity rates, respectively, while mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) only led to a 28.6% chronicity rate. Chronic HEV infection was accompanied with a persistent activation of innate immune response evidenced by transcriptome analysis. The suppressed adaptive immune response evidenced by low expression of genes related to cytotoxicity (like perforin and FasL) and low anti-HEV seroconversion rates may play important roles in causing chronic HEV infection. By analyzing HEV antigen concentrations with different infection outcomes, we also found that HEV antigen levels could indicate chronic HEV infection development. This study optimized the immunosuppression strategies for establishing chronic HEV infection in rabbits and highlighted the potential association between the development of chronic HEV infection and immunosuppressants.IMPORTANCEOrgan transplant recipients are at high risk of chronic hepatitis E and generally receive a CNI-based immunosuppression regimen containing CNI (tacrolimus or CsA), MMF, and/or corticosteroids. Previously, we established stable chronic HEV infection in a rabbit model by using CsA before HEV challenge. In this study, we further optimized the immunosuppression strategies for establishing chronic HEV infection in rabbits. Chronic HEV infection can also be established when CsA treatment was started at the same time or even 4 weeks after HEV challenge, clearly indicating the risk of progression to chronic infection under these circumstances and the necessity of HEV screening for both the recipient and the donor preoperatively. CsA, tacrolimus, or prednisolone instead of MMF significantly contributed to chronic HEV infection. HEV antigen in acute infection phase indicates the development of chronic infection. Our results have important implications for understanding the potential association between chronic HEV infection and immunosuppressants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyu He
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Tianxu Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyue Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Disen Yuan
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Qinghui Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yuebao Li
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - He Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Xing Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Changyou Xia
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Siddharth Sridhar
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lili Tian
- Miyun District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaofeng Liu
- Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, China
| | - Lulu Meng
- Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Ning
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fengmin Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Yin
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
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6
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Brüggemann Y, Klöhn M, Wedemeyer H, Steinmann E. Hepatitis E virus: from innate sensing to adaptive immune responses. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024:10.1038/s41575-024-00950-z. [PMID: 39039260 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-024-00950-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections are a major cause of acute viral hepatitis in humans worldwide. In immunocompetent individuals, the majority of HEV infections remain asymptomatic and lead to spontaneous clearance of the virus, and only a minority of individuals with infection (5-16%) experience symptoms of acute viral hepatitis. However, HEV infections can cause up to 30% mortality in pregnant women, become chronic in immunocompromised patients and cause extrahepatic manifestations. A growing body of evidence suggests that the host immune response to infection with different HEV genotypes is a critical determinant of distinct HEV infection outcomes. In this Review, we summarize key components of the innate and adaptive immune responses to HEV, including the underlying immunological mechanisms of HEV associated with acute and chronic liver failure and interactions between T cell and B cell responses. In addition, we discuss the current status of vaccines against HEV and raise outstanding questions regarding the immune responses induced by HEV and treatment of the disease, highlighting areas for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannick Brüggemann
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Mara Klöhn
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Sites Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), External Partner Site, Bochum, Germany.
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7
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Orosz L, Sárvári KP, Dernovics Á, Rosztóczy A, Megyeri K. Pathogenesis and clinical features of severe hepatitis E virus infection. World J Virol 2024; 13:91580. [PMID: 38984076 PMCID: PMC11229844 DOI: 10.5501/wjv.v13.i2.91580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis E virus (HEV), a member of the Hepeviridae family, is a small, non-enveloped icosahedral virus divided into eight distinct genotypes (HEV-1 to HEV-8). Only genotypes 1 to 4 are known to cause diseases in humans. Genotypes 1 and 2 commonly spread via fecal-oral transmission, often through the consumption of contaminated water. Genotypes 3 and 4 are known to infect pigs, deer, and wild boars, often transferring to humans through inadequately cooked meat. Acute hepatitis caused by HEV in healthy individuals is mostly asymptomatic or associated with minor symptoms, such as jaundice. However, in immunosuppressed individuals, the disease can progress to chronic hepatitis and even escalate to cirrhosis. For pregnant women, an HEV infection can cause fulminant liver failure, with a potential mortality rate of 25%. Mortality rates also rise amongst cirrhotic patients when they contract an acute HEV infection, which can even trigger acute-on-chronic liver failure if layered onto pre-existing chronic liver disease. As the prevalence of HEV infection continues to rise worldwide, highlighting the particular risks associated with severe HEV infection is of major medical interest. This text offers a brief summary of the characteristics of hepatitis developed by patient groups at an elevated risk of severe HEV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Orosz
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged 6720, Csongrád-Csanád, Hungary
| | - Károly Péter Sárvári
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged 6720, Csongrád-Csanád, Hungary
| | - Áron Dernovics
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged 6720, Csongrád-Csanád, Hungary
| | - András Rosztóczy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Szeged, Szeged 6725, Csongrád-Csanád, Hungary
| | - Klára Megyeri
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Szeged, Szeged 6720, Csongrád-Csanád, Hungary
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Shahini E, Argentiero A, Andriano A, Losito F, Maida M, Facciorusso A, Cozzolongo R, Villa E. Hepatitis E Virus: What More Do We Need to Know? MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:998. [PMID: 38929615 PMCID: PMC11205503 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60060998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is typically a self-limiting, acute illness that spreads through the gastrointestinal tract but replicates in the liver. However, chronic infections are possible in immunocompromised individuals. The HEV virion has two shapes: exosome-like membrane-associated quasi-enveloped virions (eHEV) found in circulating blood or in the supernatant of infected cell cultures and non-enveloped virions ("naked") found in infected hosts' feces and bile to mediate inter-host transmission. Although HEV is mainly spread via enteric routes, it is unclear how it penetrates the gut wall to reach the portal bloodstream. Both virion types are infectious, but they infect cells in different ways. To develop personalized treatment/prevention strategies and reduce HEV impact on public health, it is necessary to decipher the entry mechanism for both virion types using robust cell culture and animal models. The contemporary knowledge of the cell entry mechanism for these two HEV virions as possible therapeutic target candidates is summarized in this narrative review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Endrit Shahini
- Gastroenterology Unit, National Institute of Gastroenterology-IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis”, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (F.L.); (R.C.)
| | | | - Alessandro Andriano
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari Aldo Moro Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Francesco Losito
- Gastroenterology Unit, National Institute of Gastroenterology-IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis”, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (F.L.); (R.C.)
| | - Marcello Maida
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, S. Elia-Raimondi Hospital, 93100 Caltanissetta, Italy;
| | - Antonio Facciorusso
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
| | - Raffaele Cozzolongo
- Gastroenterology Unit, National Institute of Gastroenterology-IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis”, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (F.L.); (R.C.)
| | - Erica Villa
- Gastroenterology Unit, CHIMOMO Department, University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo 71, 41121 Modena, Italy
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Paronetto O, Allioux C, Diméglio C, Lobjois L, Jeanne N, Ranger N, Boineau J, Pucelle M, Demmou S, Abravanel F, Chapuy-Regaud S, Izopet J, Lhomme S. Characterization of virus‒host recombinant variants of the hepatitis E virus. J Virol 2024; 98:e0029524. [PMID: 38712945 PMCID: PMC11237545 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00295-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus is a single-strand, positive-sense RNA virus that can lead to chronic infection in immunocompromised patients. Virus-host recombinant variants (VHRVs) have been described in such patients. These variants integrate part of human genes into the polyproline-rich region that could introduce new post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as ubiquitination. The aim of this study was to characterize the replication capacity of different VHRVs, namely, RNF19A, ZNF787, KIF1B, EEF1A1, RNA18, RPS17, and RPL6. We used a plasmid encoding the Kernow strain, in which the fragment encoding the S17 insertion was deleted (Kernow p6 delS17) or replaced by fragments encoding the different insertions. The HEV RNA concentrations in the supernatants and the HepG2/C3A cell lysates were determined via RT-qPCR. The capsid protein ORF2 was immunostained. The effect of ribavirin was also assessed. The HEV RNA concentrations in the supernatants and the cell lysates were higher for the variants harboring the RNF19A, ZNF787, KIF1B, RPS17, and EEF1A1 insertions than for the Kernow p6 del S17, while it was not with RNA18 or RPL6 fragments. The number of ORF2 foci was higher for RNF19A, ZNF787, KIF1B, and RPS17 than for Kernow p6 del S17. VHRVs with replicative advantages were less sensitive to the antiviral effect of ribavirin. No difference in PTMs was found between VHRVs with a replicative advantage and those without. In conclusion, our study showed that insertions did not systematically confer a replicative advantage in vitro. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms underlying the differences in replicative capacity. IMPORTANCE Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of viral hepatitis. HEV can lead to chronic infection in immunocompromised patients. Ribavirin treatment is currently used to treat such chronic infections. Recently, seven virus-host recombinant viruses were characterized in immunocompromised patients. These viruses have incorporated a portion of a human gene fragment into their genome. We studied the consequences of these insertions on the replication capacity. We found that these inserted fragments could enhance virus replication for five of the seven recombinant variants. We also showed that the recombinant variants with replicative advantages were less sensitive to ribavirin in vitro. Finally, we found that the mechanisms leading to such a replicative advantage do not seem to rely on the post-translational modifications introduced by the human gene fragment that could have modified the function of the viral protein. The mechanisms involved in improving the replication of such recombinant viruses remain to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Paronetto
- Institut Toulousain des Maladies Infectieuses et Inflammatoires (Infinity), UMR 5051 (CNRS), UMR 1291 (INSERM), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Claire Allioux
- Institut Toulousain des Maladies Infectieuses et Inflammatoires (Infinity), UMR 5051 (CNRS), UMR 1291 (INSERM), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Chloé Diméglio
- Institut Toulousain des Maladies Infectieuses et Inflammatoires (Infinity), UMR 5051 (CNRS), UMR 1291 (INSERM), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpital Purpan, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Lhorane Lobjois
- Institut Toulousain des Maladies Infectieuses et Inflammatoires (Infinity), UMR 5051 (CNRS), UMR 1291 (INSERM), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Nicolas Jeanne
- Institut Toulousain des Maladies Infectieuses et Inflammatoires (Infinity), UMR 5051 (CNRS), UMR 1291 (INSERM), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpital Purpan, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Noémie Ranger
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpital Purpan, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Jérôme Boineau
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpital Purpan, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Mélanie Pucelle
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpital Purpan, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Sofia Demmou
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpital Purpan, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Florence Abravanel
- Institut Toulousain des Maladies Infectieuses et Inflammatoires (Infinity), UMR 5051 (CNRS), UMR 1291 (INSERM), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpital Purpan, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Sabine Chapuy-Regaud
- Institut Toulousain des Maladies Infectieuses et Inflammatoires (Infinity), UMR 5051 (CNRS), UMR 1291 (INSERM), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpital Purpan, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Jacques Izopet
- Institut Toulousain des Maladies Infectieuses et Inflammatoires (Infinity), UMR 5051 (CNRS), UMR 1291 (INSERM), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpital Purpan, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Sébastien Lhomme
- Institut Toulousain des Maladies Infectieuses et Inflammatoires (Infinity), UMR 5051 (CNRS), UMR 1291 (INSERM), Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
- Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpital Purpan, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
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10
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Corneillie L, Meuleman P, Cocquerel L. [TIM1: a key to hepatitis E virus infection]. Med Sci (Paris) 2024; 40:489-491. [PMID: 38986088 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2024063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Corneillie
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Gant, Belgique - Université de Lille, CNRS UMR9017, Inserm U1019, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Centre d'infection et d'immunité de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Philip Meuleman
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Gant, Belgique
| | - Laurence Cocquerel
- Université de Lille, CNRS UMR9017, Inserm U1019, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Centre d'infection et d'immunité de Lille, Lille, France
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11
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Li X, Sun X, Pinpin J, Zhao Q, Sun Y. Multifunctional ORF3 protein of hepatitis E virus. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29691. [PMID: 38783788 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen that is transmitted primarily through the fecal-oral route and can cause acute hepatitis in humans. Since HEV was identified as a zoonotic pathogen, different species of HEV strains have been globally identified from various hosts, leading to an expanding range of hosts. The HEV genome consists of a 5' noncoding region, three open reading frames (ORFs), and a 3' noncoding region. The ORF3 protein is the smallest but has many functions in HEV release and pathogenesis. In this review, we systematically summarize recent progress in understanding the functions of the HEV ORF3 protein in virion release, biogenesis of quasi-enveloped viruses, antigenicity, and host environmental regulation. This review will help us to understand HEV replication and pathogenesis mechanisms better.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxuan Li
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xuwen Sun
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ji Pinpin
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qin Zhao
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yani Sun
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
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12
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Primadharsini PP, Takahashi M, Nishizawa T, Sato Y, Nagashima S, Murata K, Okamoto H. The Full-Genome Analysis and Generation of an Infectious cDNA Clone of a Genotype 6 Hepatitis E Virus Variant Obtained from a Japanese Wild Boar: In Vitro Cultivation in Human Cell Lines. Viruses 2024; 16:842. [PMID: 38932135 PMCID: PMC11209168 DOI: 10.3390/v16060842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) can cause self-limiting acute and chronic hepatitis infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. In developing countries, HEV is mainly transmitted via drinking contaminated water, whereas zoonotic transmission dominates the route of infection in developed countries, including Japan. Pigs are an important reservoir for HEV infection. Wild boars, which share the same genus and species as domestic pigs, are also an HEV reservoir. During our nationwide study of HEV infection in wild boar populations in Japan, a genotype 6 (HEV-6) strain, wbJHG_23, was isolated in Hyogo Prefecture in 2023. The genomic length was 7244 nucleotides, excluding the poly(A) tract. The wbJHG_23 strain exhibited the highest nucleotide identity throughout its genome with two previously reported HEV-6 strains (80.3-80.9%). Conversely, it displayed lower similarity (73.3-78.1%) with the HEV-1-5, HEV-7, and HEV-8 strains, indicating that, although closely related, the wbJHG_23 strain differs significantly from the reported HEV-6 strains and might represent a novel subtype. The wbJHG_23 strain successfully infected the human-derived cancer cell lines, PLC/PRF/5 and A549 1-1H8 cells, suggesting that HEV-6 has the potential for zoonotic infection. An infectious cDNA clone was constructed using a reverse genetics system, and a cell culture system supporting the efficient propagation of the HEV-6 strain was established, providing important tools for further studies on this genotype. Using this cell culture system, we evaluated the sensitivity of the wbJHG_23 strain to ribavirin treatment. Its good response to this treatment suggested that it could be used to treat human infections caused by HEV-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Putu Prathiwi Primadharsini
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan; (P.P.P.); (M.T.); (T.N.); (S.N.); (K.M.)
| | - Masaharu Takahashi
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan; (P.P.P.); (M.T.); (T.N.); (S.N.); (K.M.)
| | - Tsutomu Nishizawa
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan; (P.P.P.); (M.T.); (T.N.); (S.N.); (K.M.)
| | - Yukihiro Sato
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kamiichi General Hospital, Nakaniikawa-Gun, Toyama 930-0391, Japan;
| | - Shigeo Nagashima
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan; (P.P.P.); (M.T.); (T.N.); (S.N.); (K.M.)
| | - Kazumoto Murata
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan; (P.P.P.); (M.T.); (T.N.); (S.N.); (K.M.)
| | - Hiroaki Okamoto
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan; (P.P.P.); (M.T.); (T.N.); (S.N.); (K.M.)
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13
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Lu Q, Wu H, Meng J, Wang J, Wu J, Liu S, Tong J, Nie J, Huang W. Multi-epitope vaccine design for hepatitis E virus based on protein ORF2 and ORF3. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1372069. [PMID: 38577684 PMCID: PMC10991829 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1372069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hepatitis E virus (HEV), with heightened virulence in immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women, is a pervasive threat in developing countries. A globaly available vaccine against HEV is currently lacking. Methods We designed a multi-epitope vaccine based on protein ORF2 and ORF3 of HEV using immunoinformatics. Results The vaccine comprised 23 nontoxic, nonallergenic, soluble peptides. The stability of the docked peptide vaccine-TLR3 complex was validated by molecular dynamic simulations. The induction of effective cellular and humoral immune responses by the multi-peptide vaccine was verified by simulated immunization. Discussion These findings provide a foundation for future HEV vaccine studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Lu
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-transmitted Virus Vaccines, Institute for Biological Product Control, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control and WHO Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-transmitted Virus Vaccines, Institute for Biological Product Control, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control and WHO Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Beijing, China
- Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | | | - Jiajing Wu
- Research and Development Department, Beijing Yunling Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Shuo Liu
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing, China
- Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jincheng Tong
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-transmitted Virus Vaccines, Institute for Biological Product Control, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control and WHO Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Beijing, China
| | - Jianhui Nie
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-transmitted Virus Vaccines, Institute for Biological Product Control, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control and WHO Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Beijing, China
| | - Weijin Huang
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-transmitted Virus Vaccines, Institute for Biological Product Control, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control and WHO Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Beijing, China
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14
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Subramaniam S, Fares-Gusmao R, McGivern DR. Quantification of Hepatitis E Virus ORF2 Protein by a Novel Sandwich ELISA. Viruses 2024; 16:393. [PMID: 38543759 PMCID: PMC10974087 DOI: 10.3390/v16030393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes acute hepatitis in humans, which can progress to chronicity in immunosuppressed individuals. Almost all reported HEV infections are caused by Paslahepevirus balayani genotypes 1-4. The structural ORF2 protein is the major antigen detected in the blood of HEV-infected individuals. ELISA assays to detect IgM antibodies to HEV are the first-line diagnostic tests; however, they showed variable performance with frequently discordant results. A qualitative HEV antigen (ORF2) ELISA is currently available for research use. Here, we report a novel quantitative sandwich ELISA to measure HEV ORF2 protein in 3 matrix types. An optimal pair of capture and detection antibodies was selected among 12 unique combinations tested. A sandwich ELISA protocol was developed using these mAbs and biotin-streptavidin technology. The protocol was further optimized to quantify ORF2 antigen in different matrices by interpolating from a standard curve with a linear range of 3.17 to 50.8 femtomoles/mL. Using this method, ORF2 protein was detected in the cell culture medium of Huh7 cells as early as 2-3 days after transfection with HEV genome RNA and in a medium of human hepatocytes infected with HEV. ORF2 antigen was readily detected in the first 2 weeks post-HEV infection in gerbil sera. In immunosuppressed gerbils, ORF2 was detected up to 6 weeks, and the levels were significantly higher between 3 and 6 weeks post-infection. HEV ORF2 antigen levels showed a strong positive correlation with HEV RNA levels in both cell culture medium and gerbil sera. Our novel sandwich ELISA detected at least 7.3 femtomoles/mL ORF2 protein in human plasma spiked with cell culture propagated HEV and detected ORF2 protein in human plasma samples that tested positive for HEV RNA but negative for anti-HEV antibodies. Further, the assay was nonreactive, with negative human plasma, and HBV or HCV-positive human plasma demonstrating specificity. Overall, our ORF2 antigen ELISA will be useful for quantifying ORF2 antigen in cell culture medium, gerbil serum, and human plasma. Further studies are warranted to evaluate its utility in HEV clinical diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - David R. McGivern
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA; (S.S.); (R.F.-G.)
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15
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Glitscher M, Spannaus IM, Behr F, Murra RO, Woytinek K, Bender D, Hildt E. The Protease Domain in HEV pORF1 Mediates the Replicase's Localization to Multivesicular Bodies and Its Exosomal Release. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 17:589-605. [PMID: 38190941 PMCID: PMC10900777 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A peculiar feature of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) is its reliance on the exosomal route for viral release. Genomic replication is mediated via the viral polyprotein pORF1, yet little is known about its subcellular localization. METHODS Subcellular localization of pORF1 and its subdomains, generated and cloned based on a structural prediciton of the viral replicase, was analyzed via confocal laser scanning microscopy. Exosomes released from cells were isolated via ultracentrifugation and analyzed by isopycnic density gradient centrifugation. This was followed by fluorimetry or Western blot analyses or reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to analyze separated particles in more detail. RESULTS We found pORF1 to be accumulating within the endosomal system, most dominantly to multivesicular bodies (MVBs). Expression of the polyprotein's 7 subdomains revealed that the papain-like cysteine-protease (PCP) is the only domain localizing like the full-length protein. A PCP-deficient pORF1 mutant lost its association to MVBs. Strikingly, both pORF1 and PCP can be released via exosomes. Similarly, genomic RNA still is released via exosomes in the absence of pORF2/3. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, we found that pORF1 localizes to MVBs in a PCP-dependent manner, which is followed by exosomal release. This reveals new aspects of HEV life cycle, because replication and release could be coupled at the endosomal interface. In addition, this may mediate capsid-independent spread or may facilitate the spread of viral infection, because genomes entering the cell during de novo infection readily encounter exosomally transferred pORF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirco Glitscher
- Department of Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Langen, Germany
| | | | - Fabiane Behr
- Department of Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Langen, Germany
| | | | | | - Daniela Bender
- Department of Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Eberhard Hildt
- Department of Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Langen, Germany.
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16
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Chen Z, Li G, Situ J, Li Z, Guo S, Huang Y, Wu S, Tang Z, Wen G, Wang S, Fang M, Wang Y, Yu H, Sridhar S, Zheng Z, Xia N. Redeveloping antigen detection kits for the diagnosis of rat hepatitis E virus. J Clin Microbiol 2023; 61:e0071023. [PMID: 38038482 PMCID: PMC10729709 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00710-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of Rocahepevirus ratti [species HEV ratti (r HEV)] as a causative agent of hepatitis E in humans presents a new potential threat to global public health. The R. ratti genotype 1 (r-1 HEV) variant only shares 50%-60% genomic identity with Paslahepevirus balayani [species HEV balayani (b HEV)] variants, which are the main causes of hepatitis E infection in humans. Here, we report antigen diagnoses for r-1 HEV and b HEV using an enzymatic immunoassay (EIA) method. We detected recombinant virus-like particles protein (HEV 239) of r HEV and b HEV using a collection of hepatitis E virus (HEV)-specific monoclonal antibodies. Two optimal candidates, the capture antibody P#1-H4 and the detection antibodies C145 (P#1-H4*/C145#) and C158 (P#1-H4*/C158#), were selected to detect antigen in infected rat samples and r-1 HEV- or b HEV-infected human clinical samples. The two candidates showed similar diagnostic efficacy to the Wantai HEV antigen kit in b HEV-infected clinical samples. Genomic divergence resulted in low diagnostic efficacy of the Wantai HEV antigen kit (0%, 0 of 10) for detecting r-1 HEV infection. Compared with the P#1-H4*/C145# candidate (80%, 8 of 10), the P#1-H4*/C158# candidate had excellent diagnostic efficacy in r-1 HEV-infected clinical samples (100%, 10 of 10). The two candidates bind to a discrete antigenic site that is highly conserved across r HEV and b HEV. P#1-H4*/C145# and P#1-H4*/C158# are efficacious candidate antibody combinations for rat HEV antigen detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Guanghui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Jianwen Situ
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhiyong Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Shaoqi Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Shusheng Wu
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zimin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Guiping Wen
- United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, Women and Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine & School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Siling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Mujin Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yingbin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Hai Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Siddharth Sridhar
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Carol Yu Centre for Infection, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zizheng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Ningshao Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- Research Unit of Frontier Technology of Structural Vaccinology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Xiamen, Fujian, China
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17
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Corneillie L, Lemmens I, Weening K, De Meyer A, Van Houtte F, Tavernier J, Meuleman P. Virus-Host Protein Interaction Network of the Hepatitis E Virus ORF2-4 by Mammalian Two-Hybrid Assays. Viruses 2023; 15:2412. [PMID: 38140653 PMCID: PMC10748205 DOI: 10.3390/v15122412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Throughout their life cycle, viruses interact with cellular host factors, thereby influencing propagation, host range, cell tropism and pathogenesis. The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an underestimated RNA virus in which knowledge of the virus-host interaction network to date is limited. Here, two related high-throughput mammalian two-hybrid approaches (MAPPIT and KISS) were used to screen for HEV-interacting host proteins. Promising hits were examined on protein function, involved pathway(s), and their relation to other viruses. We identified 37 ORF2 hits, 187 for ORF3 and 91 for ORF4. Several hits had functions in the life cycle of distinct viruses. We focused on SHARPIN and RNF5 as candidate hits for ORF3, as they are involved in the RLR-MAVS pathway and interferon (IFN) induction during viral infections. Knocking out (KO) SHARPIN and RNF5 resulted in a different IFN response upon ORF3 transfection, compared to wild-type cells. Moreover, infection was increased in SHARPIN KO cells and decreased in RNF5 KO cells. In conclusion, MAPPIT and KISS are valuable tools to study virus-host interactions, providing insights into the poorly understood HEV life cycle. We further provide evidence for two identified hits as new host factors in the HEV life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Corneillie
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Irma Lemmens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karin Weening
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Amse De Meyer
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Freya Van Houtte
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jan Tavernier
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Philip Meuleman
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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18
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Tang ZM, Wen GP, Ying D, Wang SL, Liu C, Tian WK, Wang YB, Fang MJ, Zhou YL, Ge YS, Wu T, Zhang J, Huang SJ, Zheng ZZ, Xia NS. Profile of clinical characteristics and serologic markers of sporadic hepatitis E in a community cohort study. Emerg Microbes Infect 2023; 12:2140613. [PMID: 36314245 PMCID: PMC9769141 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2140613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a pathogen of global significance, but the value of HEV-related markers in the diagnosis of hepatitis E remains controversial. Previous studies on hepatitis E profiles have been mainly cross-sectional and conducted among inpatients in large hospitals, and hepatitis E cases have been primarily defined by limited partial markers. In this community-based study, 4,110 active hepatitis cases from a population of nearly 600,000 were followed over 48 months and serial serum samples were collected. Both HEV pathogen (HEV RNA and antigen) and anti-HEV antibody markers were used to determine HEV infection status and the relationship between hepatitis and HEV infection. In total, 98 hepatitis E patients were identified and all available isolates from 58 patients belonged to HEV genotype 4. The mean age of the patients was 58.14 years, with an overwhelming proportion of males (70.4%). Hepatitis E accounted for 22.86% of active hepatitis cases with alanine aminotransferase levels ≥15.0-fold the upper limit of normal, suggesting the need to include HEV in routine testing for these patients. Ninety-two hepatitis E patients were positive for at least 2 of HEV antigen, anti-HEV IgM, and HEV RNA markers at presentation, and 90.22% of them were positive for HEV antigen and anti-HEV IgM. HEV antigen, HEV RNA, and anti-HEV IgM positivity were observed in 89.80%, 82.65%, and 93.88% of hepatitis E patients at presentation, respectively. However, only 57.14% of anti-HEV IgM positivity occurred in hepatitis E patients. These findings will advance our understanding of hepatitis E and improve diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Min Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR People’s Republic of China,NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR People’s Republic of China
| | - Gui-Ping Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR People’s Republic of China,United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR People’s Republic of China
| | - Dong Ying
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR People’s Republic of China,School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR People’s Republic of China
| | - Si-Ling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR People’s Republic of China
| | - Chang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei-Kun Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR People’s Republic of China
| | - Ying-Bin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR People’s Republic of China
| | - Mu-Jin Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR People’s Republic of China,NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu-Lin Zhou
- United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR People’s Republic of China
| | - Yun-Sheng Ge
- United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR People’s Republic of China
| | - Ting Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR People’s Republic of China
| | - Jun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR People’s Republic of China
| | - Shou-Jie Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR People’s Republic of China, Shou-Jie Huang ; Zi-Zheng Zheng ; Ning-Shao Xia National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiangan South Road, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Zi-Zheng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR People’s Republic of China, Shou-Jie Huang ; Zi-Zheng Zheng ; Ning-Shao Xia National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiangan South Road, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Ning-Shao Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR People’s Republic of China,NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR People’s Republic of China,School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR People’s Republic of China, Shou-Jie Huang ; Zi-Zheng Zheng ; Ning-Shao Xia National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiangan South Road, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
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19
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Orozco-Cordoba J, Mazas C, Du Pont G, Lamoyi E, Cárdenas G, Fierro NA. Viral Biology and Immune Privilege in the Development of Extrahepatic Manifestations During Hepatitis E Virus Infection. Viral Immunol 2023; 36:627-641. [PMID: 38064537 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2023.0096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) exhibits tropism toward hepatocytes and thus affects the liver; however, HEV may also affect other tissues, including the heart, kidneys, intestines, testicles, and central nervous system. To date, the pathophysiological links between HEV infection and extrahepatic manifestations have not yet been established. Considering that HEV infects multiple types of cells, the direct effects of virus replication in peripheral tissues represent a plausible explanation for extrahepatic manifestations. In addition, since the immune response is crucial in the development of the disease, the immune characteristics of affected tissues should be revisited to identify commonalities explaining the effects of the virus. This review summarizes the most recent advances in understanding the virus biology and immune-privileged status of specific tissues as major elements for HEV replication in diverse organs. These discoveries may open avenues to explain the multiple extrahepatic manifestations associated with HEV infection and ultimately to design effective strategies for infection control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Orozco-Cordoba
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Camila Mazas
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gisela Du Pont
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Edmundo Lamoyi
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Graciela Cárdenas
- Departamento de Neuroinfectología, Instituto Nacional de Neurología Manuel Velasco Suárez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Nora A Fierro
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico
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20
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El-Mokhtar MA, Elkhawaga AA, Ahmed MSH, El-Sabaa EMW, Mosa AA, Abdelmohsen AS, Moussa AM, Salama EH, Aboulfotuh S, Ashmawy AM, Seddik AI, Sayed IM, Ramadan HKA. High Incidence of Acute Liver Failure among Patients in Egypt Coinfected with Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E Viruses. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2898. [PMID: 38138042 PMCID: PMC10745896 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Hepatitis E virus (HEV) are transmitted through the fecal-oral route. HAV outbreaks and one HEV outbreak have been reported in Egypt. However, the impact of HAV-HEV co-infection is not known. In this study, we assessed HEV markers in acute HAV-infected patients (n = 57) enrolled in Assiut University hospitals. We found that 36.8% of HAV-infected patients were also positive for HEV markers (anti-HEV IgM and HEV RNA), while 63.2% of the patients were HAV mono-infected. Demographic and clinical criteria were comparable in both HAV mono-infected patients and HAV-HEV co-infected patients. Although liver enzymes were not significantly different between the two groups, liver transaminases were higher in the co-infected patients. Six patients developed acute liver failure (ALF); five of them were HAV-HEV-co-infected patients. The relative risk of ALF development was 8.5 times higher in HAV-HEV co-infection compared to mono-infection. Three cases of ALF caused by HAV-HEV co-infection were reported in children (below 18 years) and two cases were reported in adults. All patients developed jaundice, coagulopathy, and encephalopathy; all were living in rural communities. In conclusion: HAV-HEV co-infection can be complicated by ALF. The risk of ALF development in HAV-infected patients is higher when coinfection with HEV is present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A. El-Mokhtar
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos P.O. Box 36, Lebanon
| | - Amal A. Elkhawaga
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Mona Sedky Hussein Ahmed
- Molecular Biology Researches & Studies Institute (MBRSI), Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Ehsan M. W. El-Sabaa
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Aliaa A. Mosa
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Shawkat Abdelmohsen
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Abdelmajeed M. Moussa
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan 81528, Egypt
| | - Eman H. Salama
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt
| | - Sahar Aboulfotuh
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M. Ashmawy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Ismail Seddik
- Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan 81528, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim M. Sayed
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Haidi Karam-Allah Ramadan
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
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21
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Gremmel N, Keuling O, Eiden M, Groschup MH, Johne R, Becher P, Baechlein C. Hepatitis E virus neutralization by porcine serum antibodies. J Clin Microbiol 2023; 61:e0037323. [PMID: 37823649 PMCID: PMC10662371 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00373-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The consumption of raw or undercooked meat products poses a serious risk for human hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections. In many high-income countries, domestic pigs and wild boars represent the main animal reservoirs for HEV and are usually identified by reverse transcription-PCR and antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In order to characterize the humoral immune response in more detail, a cell culture-based serum neutralization assay using a culture-adapted HEV strain was established here. Measurement of neutralizing antibodies was only possible after removing the viral quasi-envelope by detergent treatment. Serum samples of 343 wild boars from Northern Germany were first analyzed for anti-HEV IgG using an in-house ELISA, resulting in 19% positive samples. Subsequently, a subset of 41 representative samples was tested with the neutralization assay, and the results correlated well with those obtained by ELISA. Not only the human HEV strain 47832c but also two porcine HEV strains were shown to be neutralized by porcine serum antibodies. Neutralizing activity was also found in samples containing both HEV-specific antibodies and HEV RNA. Testing of serum samples derived from two experimentally infected domestic pigs showed a steep increase in neutralizing activity at 24 or 51 days post infection, dependent on the used infectious dose. The developed assay can be useful for characterization of the humoral immune response after HEV infection and for assessing the efficiency of HEV vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nele Gremmel
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Oliver Keuling
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Martin Eiden
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin H. Groschup
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Reimar Johne
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul Becher
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christine Baechlein
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
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22
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Buchanan FJT, Chen S, Harris M, Herod MR. The hepatitis E virus ORF1 hypervariable region confers partial cyclophilin dependency. J Gen Virol 2023; 104:001919. [PMID: 37942835 PMCID: PMC10768694 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging pathogen responsible for more than 20 million cases of acute hepatitis globally per annum. Healthy individuals typically have a self-limiting infection, but mortality rates in some populations such as pregnant women can reach 30 %. A detailed understanding of the virus lifecycle is lacking, mainly due to limitations in experimental systems. In this regard, the cyclophilins are an important family of proteins that have peptidyl-prolyl isomerase activity and play roles in the replication of a number of positive-sense RNA viruses, including hepatotropic viruses such as hepatitis C virus (HCV). Cyclophilins A and B (CypA/B) are the two most abundant Cyps in hepatocytes and are therefore potential targets for pan-viral therapeutics. Here, we investigated the importance of CypA and CypB for HEV genome replication using sub-genomic replicons. Using a combination of pharmacological inhibition by cyclosporine A (CsA), and silencing by small hairpin RNA we find that CypA and CypB are not essential for HEV replication. However, we find that silencing of CypB reduces replication of some HEV isolates in some cells. Furthermore, sensitivity to Cyp silencing appears to be partly conferred by the sequence within the hypervariable region of the viral polyprotein. These data suggest HEV is atypical in its requirements for cyclophilin for viral genome replication and that this phenomenon could be genotype- and sequence-specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frazer J. T. Buchanan
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Shucheng Chen
- Department of Paediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mark Harris
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Morgan R. Herod
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
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23
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Corneillie L, Lemmens I, Montpellier C, Ferrié M, Weening K, Van Houtte F, Hanoulle X, Cocquerel L, Amara A, Tavernier J, Meuleman P. The phosphatidylserine receptor TIM1 promotes infection of enveloped hepatitis E virus. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:326. [PMID: 37833515 PMCID: PMC11073319 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04977-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an underestimated RNA virus of which the viral life cycle and pathogenicity remain partially understood and for which specific antivirals are lacking. The virus exists in two forms: nonenveloped HEV that is shed in feces and transmits between hosts; and membrane-associated, quasi-enveloped HEV that circulates in the blood. It is suggested that both forms employ different mechanisms for cellular entry and internalization but little is known about the exact mechanisms. Interestingly, the membrane of enveloped HEV is enriched with phosphatidylserine, a natural ligand for the T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 1 (TIM1) during apoptosis and involved in 'apoptotic mimicry', a process by which viruses hijack the apoptosis pathway to promote infection. We here investigated the role of TIM1 in the entry process of HEV. We determined that HEV infection with particles derived from culture supernatant, which are cloaked by host-derived membranes (eHEV), was significantly impaired after knockout of TIM1, whereas infection with intracellular HEV particles (iHEV) was unaffected. eHEV infection was restored upon TIM1 expression; and enhanced after ectopic TIM1 expression. The significance of TIM1 during entry was further confirmed by viral binding assay, and point mutations of the PS-binding pocket diminished eHEV infection. In addition, Annexin V, a PS-binding molecule also significantly reduced infection. Taken together, our findings support a role for TIM1 in eHEV-mediated cell entry, facilitated by the PS present on the viral membrane, a strategy HEV may use to promote viral spread throughout the infected body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Corneillie
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases (LLID), Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Building MRBII, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Irma Lemmens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Zwijnaarde 75, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Claire Montpellier
- U1019-UMR 8204-CIIL-Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, University of Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, 1 Rue du Professeur Calmette, Lille, France
| | - Martin Ferrié
- U1019-UMR 8204-CIIL-Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, University of Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, 1 Rue du Professeur Calmette, Lille, France
| | - Karin Weening
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases (LLID), Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Building MRBII, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Freya Van Houtte
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases (LLID), Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Building MRBII, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Xavier Hanoulle
- U1167-RID-AGE-Facteurs de Risque et Déterminants Moléculaires des Maladies Liées au Vieillissement, University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur Lille, 59000, Lille, France
- EMR9002-BSI-Integrative Structural Biology, CNRS, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Laurence Cocquerel
- U1019-UMR 8204-CIIL-Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, University of Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, 1 Rue du Professeur Calmette, Lille, France
| | - Ali Amara
- UMR 7212, Institut de Recherche Saint-Louis, Université de Paris Cité, INSERM U944, CNRS, Hôpital Saint-Louis, 75010, Paris, France
| | - Jan Tavernier
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Zwijnaarde 75, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Philip Meuleman
- Laboratory of Liver Infectious Diseases (LLID), Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Building MRBII, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
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Nagashima S, Primadharsini PP, Nishiyama T, Takahashi M, Murata K, Okamoto H. Development of a HiBiT-tagged reporter hepatitis E virus and its utility as an antiviral drug screening platform. J Virol 2023; 97:e0050823. [PMID: 37681960 PMCID: PMC10537679 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00508-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Previously, we developed an infectious hepatitis E virus (HEV) harboring the nanoKAZ gene in the hypervariable region of the open reading frame 1 (ORF1) of the HEV3b (JE03-1760F/P10) genome and demonstrated the usefulness for screening anti-HEV drugs that inhibit the early infection process. In the present study, we constructed another reporter HEV (HEV3b-HiBiT) by placing a minimized HiBiT tag derived from NanoLuc luciferase at the 3'-end of the viral capsid (ORF2) coding sequence. It replicated efficiently in PLC/PRF/5 cells, produced membrane-associated particles identical to those of the parental virus, and was genetically stable and infectious. The HiBiT tag was fused to both secreted ORF2s (ORF2s-HiBiT) and ORF2c capsid protein (ORF2c-HiBiT). The ORF2c-HiBiT formed membrane-associated HEV particles (eHEV3b-HiBiT). By treating these particles with digitonin, we demonstrated that the HiBiT tag was expressed on the surface of capsid and was present inside the lipid membrane. To simplify the measurement of luciferase activity and provide a more convenient screening platform, we constructed an ORF2s-defective mutant (HEV3b-HiBiT/ΔORF2s) in which the secreted ORF2s are suppressed. We used this system to evaluate the effects of introducing small interfering RNAs and treatment with an inhibitor or accelerator of exosomal release on HEV egress and demonstrated that the effects on virus release can readily be analyzed. Therefore, HEV3b-HiBiT and HEV3b-HiBiT/ΔORF2s reporters may be useful for investigating the virus life cycle and can serve as a more convenient screening platform to search for candidate drugs targeting the late stage of HEV infection such as particle formation and release. IMPORTANCE The construction of recombinant infectious viruses harboring a stable luminescence reporter gene is essential for investigations of the viral life cycle, such as viral replication and pathogenesis, and the development of novel antiviral drugs. However, it is difficult to maintain the stability of a large foreign gene inserted into the viral genome. In the present study, we successfully generated a recombinant HEV harboring the 11-amino acid HiBiT tag in the ORF2 coding region and demonstrated the infectivity, efficient virus growth, particle morphology, and genetic stability, suggesting that this recombinant HEV is useful for in vitro assays. Furthermore, this system can serve as a more convenient screening platform for anti-HEV drugs. Thus, an infectious recombinant HEV is a powerful approach not only for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of the viral life cycle but also for the screening and development of novel antiviral agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeo Nagashima
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Putu Prathiwi Primadharsini
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Takashi Nishiyama
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Masaharu Takahashi
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Kazumoto Murata
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Okamoto
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan
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25
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Primadharsini PP, Nagashima S, Nishiyama T, Okamoto H. Three Distinct Reporter Systems of Hepatitis E Virus and Their Utility as Drug Screening Platforms. Viruses 2023; 15:1989. [PMID: 37896767 PMCID: PMC10611241 DOI: 10.3390/v15101989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is increasingly acknowledged as the primary cause of acute hepatitis. While most HEV infections are self-limiting, cases of chronic infection and fulminant hepatitis necessitate the administration of anti-HEV medications. However, there is a lack of specific antiviral drugs designed for HEV, and the currently available drug (ribavirin) has been associated with significant adverse effects. The development of innovative antiviral drugs involves targeting distinct steps within the viral life cycle: the early step (attachment and internalization), middle step (translation and RNA replication), and late step (virus particle formation and virion release). We recently established three HEV reporter systems, each covering one or two of these steps. Using these reporter systems, we identified various potential drug candidates that target different steps of the HEV life cycle. Through rigorous in vitro testing using our robust cell culture system with the genotype 3 HEV strain (JE03-1760F/P10), we confirmed the efficacy of these drugs, when used alone or in combination with existing anti-HEV drugs. This underscores their significance in the quest for an effective anti-HEV treatment. In the present review, we discuss the development of the three reporter systems, their applications in drug screening, and their potential to advance our understanding of the incompletely elucidated HEV life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Putu Prathiwi Primadharsini
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Tochigi, Japan; (P.P.P.); (S.N.)
| | - Shigeo Nagashima
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Tochigi, Japan; (P.P.P.); (S.N.)
| | - Takashi Nishiyama
- Laboratory of Membrane Proteins, Research Division for Quantitative Life Sciences, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan;
| | - Hiroaki Okamoto
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Tochigi, Japan; (P.P.P.); (S.N.)
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26
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Das A, Rivera-Serrano EE, Yin X, Walker CM, Feng Z, Lemon SM. Cell entry and release of quasi-enveloped human hepatitis viruses. Nat Rev Microbiol 2023; 21:573-589. [PMID: 37185947 PMCID: PMC10127183 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-023-00889-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Infectious hepatitis type A and type E are caused by phylogenetically distinct single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses that were once considered to be non-enveloped. However, studies show that both are released nonlytically from hepatocytes as 'quasi-enveloped' virions cloaked in host membranes. These virion types predominate in the blood of infected individuals and mediate virus spread within the liver. They lack virally encoded proteins on their surface and are resistant to neutralizing anti-capsid antibodies induced by infection, yet they efficiently enter cells and initiate new rounds of virus replication. In this Review, we discuss the mechanisms by which specific peptide sequences in the capsids of these quasi-enveloped virions mediate their endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT)-dependent release from hepatocytes through multivesicular endosomes, what is known about how they enter cells, and the impact of capsid quasi-envelopment on host immunity and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anshuman Das
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Lentigen Technology, Inc., Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Efraín E Rivera-Serrano
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Biology, Elon University, Elon, NC, USA
| | - Xin Yin
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Christopher M Walker
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Paediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Zongdi Feng
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Department of Paediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Stanley M Lemon
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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27
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Wen GP, Wang MM, Tang ZM, Liu C, Yu ZH, Wang Z, Zheng ZZ, Zhou YL, Ge YS. Prevalence of Hepatitis E Virus and Its Associated Outcomes among Pregnant Women in China. Pathogens 2023; 12:1072. [PMID: 37764880 PMCID: PMC10536528 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a significant public health concern worldwide. Pregnant women are at high risk of severe HEV infection. Various adverse outcomes in pregnant women related to HEV infection have been well documented in low-income and middle-income countries with poor sanitation. However, previous studies have provided inconsistent conclusions regarding the effects of HEV infection on the health of pregnant women and their infants in developed countries and contemporary China. In China, previous studies on HEV in pregnant women mainly focused on anti-HEV IgM and/or anti-HEV IgG. In this study, 4244 pregnant women were retrospectively analyzed for HEV-related markers. The positive rates of HEV antigen, HEV RNA, anti-HEV IgM, and anti-HEV IgG were 0.28%, 0.54%, 0.35%, and 10.49%, respectively. Among the 467 pregnant women who tested positive for at least one HEV-related marker, 92.93% (434) were positive for anti-HEV IgG only and 0.21% (1) were positive for HEV antigen, anti-HEV IgM, and anti-HEV IgG. Although the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG significantly increased with age, the prevalence of anti-HEV IgM, HEV RNA, and HEV antigen did not differ among pregnant women of different ages. Thirty-three pregnant women were positive for at least one of anti-HEV IgM, HEV antigen, and HEV RNA, and these individuals were recently or currently infected with HEV. None of the 33 pregnant women exhibited obvious clinical symptoms. Of the 33 pregnant women, 39.39% (13) experienced adverse fetal outcomes, including preterm birth, fetal distress, and low birth weight, the incidence of which was significantly higher than in pregnant women who were not recently or currently infected with HEV. These findings suggest that maternal HEV infection may impact the health of fetuses; thus, these results may contribute to the development of appropriate public health interventions for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gui-Ping Wen
- Department of Central Laboratory, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Min-Ming Wang
- United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Zi-Min Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Chang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Zi-Hao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- School of Pharmacy, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Zi-Zheng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Yu-Lin Zhou
- Department of Central Laboratory, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
- United Diagnostic and Research Center for Clinical Genetics, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Yun-Sheng Ge
- Department of Central Laboratory, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
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28
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Bouquet P, Alexandre V, De Lamballerie M, Ley D, Lesage J, Goffard A, Cocquerel L. Effect of High Hydrostatic Pressure Processing and Holder Pasteurization of Human Milk on Inactivation of Human Coronavirus 229E and Hepatitis E Virus. Viruses 2023; 15:1571. [PMID: 37515257 PMCID: PMC10384040 DOI: 10.3390/v15071571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In preterm infants, sterilized donor milk (DM) is frequently used for feeding when breast milk is lacking. Most human milk banks use the Holder pasteurization method (HoP) to ensure the microbiological safety of DM. However, this method degrades many bioactive factors and hormones. Recently, high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) processing, which preserves bioactive factors in human milk, has been proposed as an alternative method to ensure the safety of DM. Although HHP treatment has been shown to be effective for viral inactivation, the effect of HHP on viruses that may be present in the complex nutritional matrix of human milk has not yet been defined. In the present study, we compared the efficacy of two HHP protocols (4 cycles at 350 MPa at 38 °C designated as 4xHP350 treatment, and 1 cycle at 600 MPa at 20 °C designated as 1xHP600 treatment) with the HoP method on artificially virus-infected DM. For this purpose, we used human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) as surrogate models for enveloped and non-enveloped viruses. Our results showed that HCoV-229E is inactivated by HHP and HoP treatment. In particular, the 4xHP350 protocol is highly effective in inactivating HCoV-229E. However, our results demonstrated a matrix effect of human milk on HCoV-229E inactivation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that HEV is stable to moderate pressure HHP treatment, but the milk matrix does not protect it from inactivation by the high-pressure HHP treatment of 600 MPa. Importantly, the complex nutritional matrix of human milk protects HEV from inactivation by HoP treatment. In conclusion, we demonstrated that HHP and HoP treatments do not lead to complete inactivation of both surrogate virus models, indicating that these treatments cannot guarantee total viral safety of donor milk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peggy Bouquet
- Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Virginie Alexandre
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 9017-CIIL-Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | | | - Delphine Ley
- CHU Lille, Division of Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Paediatrics, Jeanne de Flandre Children's Hospital, F-59000 Lille, France
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286-INFINITE-Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Jean Lesage
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286-INFINITE-Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Anne Goffard
- Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 9017-CIIL-Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Laurence Cocquerel
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR 9017-CIIL-Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
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29
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Zahmanova G, Takova K, Tonova V, Koynarski T, Lukov LL, Minkov I, Pishmisheva M, Kotsev S, Tsachev I, Baymakova M, Andonov AP. The Re-Emergence of Hepatitis E Virus in Europe and Vaccine Development. Viruses 2023; 15:1558. [PMID: 37515244 PMCID: PMC10383931 DOI: 10.3390/v15071558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the leading causes of acute viral hepatitis. Transmission of HEV mainly occurs via the fecal-oral route (ingesting contaminated water or food) or by contact with infected animals and their raw meat products. Some animals, such as pigs, wild boars, sheep, goats, rabbits, camels, rats, etc., are natural reservoirs of HEV, which places people in close contact with them at increased risk of HEV disease. Although hepatitis E is a self-limiting infection, it could also lead to severe illness, particularly among pregnant women, or chronic infection in immunocompromised people. A growing number of studies point out that HEV can be classified as a re-emerging virus in developed countries. Preventative efforts are needed to reduce the incidence of acute and chronic hepatitis E in non-endemic and endemic countries. There is a recombinant HEV vaccine, but it is approved for use and commercially available only in China and Pakistan. However, further studies are needed to demonstrate the necessity of applying a preventive vaccine and to create conditions for reducing the spread of HEV. This review emphasizes the hepatitis E virus and its importance for public health in Europe, the methods of virus transmission and treatment, and summarizes the latest studies on HEV vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergana Zahmanova
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Department of Technology Transfer and IP Management, Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Katerina Takova
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Valeria Tonova
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Tsvetoslav Koynarski
- Department of Animal Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Laura L Lukov
- Faculty of Sciences, Brigham Young University-Hawaii, Laie, HI 96762, USA
| | - Ivan Minkov
- Department of Technology Transfer and IP Management, Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies, 4108 Markovo, Bulgaria
| | - Maria Pishmisheva
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Pazardzhik Multiprofile Hospital for Active Treatment, 4400 Pazardzhik, Bulgaria
| | - Stanislav Kotsev
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Pazardzhik Multiprofile Hospital for Active Treatment, 4400 Pazardzhik, Bulgaria
| | - Ilia Tsachev
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Magdalena Baymakova
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Military Medical Academy, 1606 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Anton P Andonov
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
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Takahashi M, Kunita S, Nishizawa T, Ohnishi H, Primadharsini PP, Nagashima S, Murata K, Okamoto H. Infection Dynamics and Genomic Mutations of Hepatitis E Virus in Naturally Infected Pigs on a Farrow-to-Finish Farm in Japan: A Survey from 2012 to 2021. Viruses 2023; 15:1516. [PMID: 37515202 PMCID: PMC10385168 DOI: 10.3390/v15071516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes acute or chronic hepatitis in humans. Pigs are the primary reservoir for zoonotic HEV genotypes 3 and 4 worldwide. This study investigated the infection dynamics and genomic mutations of HEV in domestic pigs on a farrow-to-finish pig farm in Japan between 2012 and 2021. A high prevalence of anti-HEV IgG antibodies was noted among pigs on this farm in 2012, when the survey started, and persisted for at least nine years. During 2012-2021, HEV RNA was detected in both serum and fecal samples, indicating active viral replication. Environmental samples, including slurry samples in manure pits, feces on the floor, floor and wall swabs in pens, and dust samples, also tested positive for HEV RNA, suggesting potential sources of infection within the farm environment. Indeed, pigs raised in HEV-contaminated houses had a higher rate of HEV infection than those in an HEV-free house. All 104 HEV strains belonged to subgenotype 3b, showing a gradual decrease in nucleotide identities over time. The 2012 (swEJM1201802S) and 2021 (swEJM2100729F) HEV strains shared 97.9% sequence identity over the entire genome. Importantly, the swEJM2100729F strain efficiently propagated in human hepatoma cells, demonstrating its infectivity. These findings contribute to our understanding of the prevalence, transmission dynamics, and genetic characteristics of HEV in domestic pigs, emphasizing the potential risks associated with HEV infections and are crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate the risk of HEV infection in both animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaharu Takahashi
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kunita
- Center for Experimental Medicine, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Nishizawa
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ohnishi
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Putu Prathiwi Primadharsini
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Shigeo Nagashima
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Kazumoto Murata
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Okamoto
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
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31
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Songtanin B, Molehin AJ, Brittan K, Manatsathit W, Nugent K. Hepatitis E Virus Infections: Epidemiology, Genetic Diversity, and Clinical Considerations. Viruses 2023; 15:1389. [PMID: 37376687 DOI: 10.3390/v15061389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 20 million people worldwide are infected annually with the hepatitis E virus (HEV). There are four main genotypes of HEV. Genotype 1 and genotype 2 are common in developing countries and are transmitted by contaminated water from a fecal-oral route. Genotype 3 and genotype 4 are common in developed countries and can lead to occasional transmission to humans via undercooked meat. Hepatitis E virus 1 and HEV3 can lead to fulminant hepatitis, and HEV3 can lead to chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis in immunocompromised patients. The majority of patients with HEV infection are asymptomatic and usually have spontaneous viral clearance without treatment. However, infection in immunocompromised individuals can lead to chronic HEV infection. Both acute and chronic HEV infections can have extrahepatic manifestations. No specific treatment is required for acute HEV infection, no treatment has been approved in chronic infection, and no HEV vaccine has been approved by the (United States) Food and Drug Administration. This review focuses on the molecular virology (HEV life cycle, genotypes, model systems, zoonosis), pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, and treatment of chronic HEV infection, especially in immunocompromised patients, to provide clinicians a better understanding of the global distribution of these infections and the significant effect they can have on immunocompromised patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Busara Songtanin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Adebayo J Molehin
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ 85308, USA
| | - Kevin Brittan
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Wuttiporn Manatsathit
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Kenneth Nugent
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
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32
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Ju X, Yu Y, Ren W, Dong L, Meng X, Deng H, Nan Y, Ding Q. The PRMT5/WDR77 complex restricts hepatitis E virus replication. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011434. [PMID: 37276230 PMCID: PMC10270597 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the main pathogenic agents of acute hepatitis in the world. The mechanism of HEV replication, especially host factors governing HEV replication is still not clear. Here, using HEV ORF1 trans-complementation cell culture system and HEV replicon system, combining with stable isotope labelling with amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) and mass spectrometry (MS), we aimed to identify the host factors regulating HEV replication. We identified a diversity of host factors associated with HEV ORF1 protein, which were putatively responsible for viral genomic RNA replication, in these two cell culture models. Of note, the protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5)/WDR77 complex was identified in both cell culture models as the top hit. Furthermore, we demonstrated that PRMT5 and WDR77 can specifically inhibit HEV replication, but not other viruses such as HCV or SARS-CoV-2, and this inhibition is conserved among different HEV strains and genotypes. Mechanistically, PRMT5/WDR77 can catalyse methylation of ORF1 on its R458, impairing its replicase activity, and virus bearing R458K mutation in ORF1 relieves the restriction of PRMT5/WDR77 accordingly. Taken together, our study promotes more comprehensive understanding of viral infections but also provides therapeutic targets for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Ju
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanying Yu
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenlin Ren
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Dong
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xianbin Meng
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Haiteng Deng
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuchen Nan
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Qiang Ding
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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Oechslin N, Ankavay M, Moradpour D, Gouttenoire J. Expanding the Hepatitis E Virus Toolbox: Selectable Replicons and Recombinant Reporter Genomes. Viruses 2023; 15:v15040869. [PMID: 37112849 PMCID: PMC10147066 DOI: 10.3390/v15040869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has received relatively little attention for decades although it is now considered as one of the most frequent causes of acute hepatitis worldwide. Our knowledge of this enterically-transmitted, positive-strand RNA virus and its life cycle remains scarce but research on HEV has gained momentum more recently. Indeed, advances in the molecular virology of hepatitis E, including the establishment of subgenomic replicons and infectious molecular clones, now allow study of the entire viral life cycle and to explore host factors required for productive infection. Here, we provide an overview on currently available systems, with an emphasis on selectable replicons and recombinant reporter genomes. Furthermore, we discuss the challenges in developing new systems which should enable to further investigate this widely distributed and important pathogen.
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Primadharsini PP, Nagashima S, Tanaka T, Jirintai S, Takahashi M, Murata K, Okamoto H. Development and Characterization of Efficient Cell Culture Systems for Genotype 1 Hepatitis E Virus and Its Infectious cDNA Clone. Viruses 2023; 15:v15040845. [PMID: 37112827 PMCID: PMC10146093 DOI: 10.3390/v15040845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of acute viral hepatitis globally. Genotype 1 HEV (HEV-1) is responsible for multiple outbreaks in developing countries, causing high mortality rates in pregnant women. However, studies on HEV-1 have been hindered by its poor replication in cultured cells. The JE04-1601S strain recovered from a Japanese patient with fulminant hepatitis E who contracted HEV-1 while traveling to India was serially passaged 12 times in human cell lines. The cell-culture-generated viruses (passage 12; p12) grew efficiently in human cell lines, but the replication was not fully supported in porcine cells. A full-length cDNA clone was constructed using JE04-1601S_p12 as a template. It was able to produce an infectious virus, and viral protein expression was detectable in the transfected PLC/PRF/5 cells and culture supernatants. Consistently, HEV-1 growth was also not fully supported in the cell culture of cDNA-derived JE04-1601S_p12 progenies, potentially recapitulating the narrow tropism of HEV-1 observed in vivo. The availability of an efficient cell culture system for HEV-1 and its infectious cDNA clone will be useful for studying HEV species tropism and mechanisms underlying severe hepatitis in HEV-1-infected pregnant women as well as for discovering and developing safer treatment options for this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Putu Prathiwi Primadharsini
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0414, Japan
| | - Shigeo Nagashima
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0414, Japan
| | - Toshinori Tanaka
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0414, Japan
| | - Suljid Jirintai
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0414, Japan
- Division of Pathology, Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University College of Veterinary Medicine, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Masaharu Takahashi
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0414, Japan
| | - Kazumoto Murata
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0414, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Okamoto
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0414, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-285-58-7404
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Shafat Z, Ahmed A, Parvez MK, Parveen S. Intrinsic disorder in the open reading frame 2 of hepatitis E virus: a protein with multiple functions beyond viral capsid. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2023; 21:33. [PMID: 36929465 PMCID: PMC10018590 DOI: 10.1186/s43141-023-00477-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the cause of a liver disease hepatitis E. The translation product of HEV ORF2 has recently been demonstrated as a protein involved in multiple functions besides performing its major role of a viral capsid. As intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) are linked to various essential roles in the virus's life cycle, we analyzed the disorder pattern distribution of the retrieved ORF2 protein sequences by employing different online predictors. Our findings might provide some clues on the disorder-based functions of ORF2 protein that possibly help us in understanding its behavior other than as a HEV capsid protein. RESULTS The modeled three dimensional (3D) structures of ORF2 showed the predominance of random coils or unstructured regions in addition to major secondary structure components (alpha helix and beta strand). After initial scrutinization, the predictors VLXT and VSL2 predicted ORF2 as a highly disordered protein while the predictors VL3 and DISOPRED3 predicted ORF2 as a moderately disordered protein, thus categorizing HEV-ORF2 into IDP (intrinsically disordered protein) or IDPR (intrinsically disordered protein region) respectively. Thus, our initial predicted disorderness in ORF2 protein 3D structures was in excellent agreement with their predicted disorder distribution patterns (evaluated through different predictors). The abundance of MoRFs (disorder-based protein binding sites) in ORF2 was observed that signified their interaction with binding partners which might further assist in viral infection. As IDPs/IDPRs are targets of regulation, we carried out the phosphorylation analysis to reveal the presence of post-translationally modified sites. Prevalence of several disordered-based phosphorylation sites further signified the involvement of ORF2 in diverse and significant biological processes. Furthermore, ORF2 structure-associated functions revealed its involvement in several crucial functions and biological processes like binding and catalytic activities. CONCLUSIONS The results predicted ORF2 as a protein with multiple functions besides its role as a capsid protein. Moreover, the occurrence of IDPR/IDP in ORF2 protein suggests that its disordered region might serve as novel drug targets via functioning as potential interacting domains. Our data collectively might provide significant implication in HEV vaccine search as disorderness in viral proteins is related to mechanisms involved in immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoya Shafat
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Anwar Ahmed
- Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology Research, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad K Parvez
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shama Parveen
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India.
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Mustafa G, Mahrosh HS, Attique SA, Arif R, Farah MA, Al-Anazi KM, Ali S. Identification of Plant Peptides as Novel Inhibitors of Orthohepevirus A (HEV) Capsid Protein by Virtual Screening. Molecules 2023; 28:2675. [PMID: 36985647 PMCID: PMC10051542 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28062675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the notable causative agent of acute and chronic hepatic, renal, pancreatic, neurological, and hematopoietic blood cell infections with high risk in immunocompromised patients. Hepatic failure is mostly documented among adults, pregnant women, and patients with preexisting liver disease. HEV is a positive sense RNA virus of 7.2 kb genome size with typically three open reading frames (ORFs) which play essential roles in viral replication, genome assembly, and transcription. The mutational substitution in the viral RNA genome makes more it difficult to understand the actual relationship in the host-virus association. ORFs of HEV encode different structural and non-structural proteins and one of them is the capsid protein which is coded by ORF2. The capsid protein mediates the encapsulation of the viral genome as well as being involved in virion assembly. In the current study, the ligand-based docking approach was employed to inhibit the active amino acids of the viral capsid protein. Depending upon S-score, ADMET profiling, and drug scanning, the top ten tetrapeptides were selected as potential drug candidates with no toxicity counter to HEV receptor protein. The S-score or docking score is a mathematical function which predicts the binding affinities of docked complexes. The binding affinity of the predicted drug-target complexes helps in the selectivity of the desired compound as a potential drug. The best two selected peptides (i.e., TDGH with S-score of -8.5 and EGDE with S-score of -8.0) interacted with the active site amino acids of the capsid protein (i.e., Arg399, Gln420, and Asp444). The molecular dynamics simulations of RMSD trajectories of TDGH-capsid protein and EDGE-capsid protein have revealed that both docked complexes were structurally stable. The study revealed that these tetrapeptides would serve as strong potential inhibitors and a starting point for the development of new drug molecules against the HEV capsid protein. In future, in vivo studies are needed to explore selected peptides as potential drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghulam Mustafa
- Department of Biochemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Hafiza Salaha Mahrosh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Syed Awais Attique
- School of Interdisciplinary Engineering & Science (SINES), National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
- Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Bioinformatics Institute, 30 Biopolis Street, Matrix, Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - Rawaba Arif
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Jhang, Jhang 35200, Pakistan
| | - Mohammad Abul Farah
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Mashay Al-Anazi
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sajad Ali
- Department of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea
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Animal Models for Studying Congenital Transmission of Hepatitis E Virus. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11030618. [PMID: 36985191 PMCID: PMC10057890 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most intriguing issues in the hepatitis E virus (HEV) field is the significant increase in mortality rates of the mother and fetus when infection occurs in the second and third trimesters of gestation. A virus that is normally self-limiting and has a mortality rate of less than one percent in otherwise healthy individuals steeply rises by up to 30% in these pregnant populations. Answering this pivotal question has not been a simple task. HEV, in general, has been a difficult pathogen to understand in the laboratory setting. A historical lack of ability to efficiently propagate the virus in tissue culture models has led to many molecular aspects of the viral lifecycle being understudied. Although great strides have been made in recent years to adapt viruses to cell culture, this field remains behind other viruses that are much easier to replicate efficiently in vitro. Some of the greatest discoveries regarding HEV have come from using animal models for which naturally occurring strains of HEV have been identified, including pigs and chickens, but key limitations have made animal models imperfect for studying all aspects of human HEV infections. In addition to the difficulties working with HEV, pregnancy is a very complicated biological process with an elaborate interplay between many different host systems, including hormones, cardiovascular, kidneys, respiratory, gastrointestinal, epithelial, liver, metabolic, immune, and others. Significant differences between the timing and interplay of these systems are notable between species, and making direct comparisons between animals and humans can be difficult at times. No simple answer exists as to how HEV enhances mortality in pregnant populations. One of the best approaches to studying HEV in pregnancy is likely a combinatorial approach that uses the best combination of emerging in vitro and in vivo systems while accounting for the deficiencies that are present in each model. This review describes many of the current HEV animal model systems and the strengths and weaknesses of each as they apply to HEV pregnancy-associated mortality. We consider factors that are critical to analyzing HEV infection within the host and how, despite no perfect animal model for human pregnancy mortality existing, recent developments in HEV models, both in vitro and in vivo, are advancing our overall understanding of HEV in the pregnant host.
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Srivastava M, Bhukya PL, Barman MK, Bhise N, Lole KS. Modulation of cellular autophagy by genotype 1 hepatitis E virus ORF3 protein. J Gen Virol 2023; 104. [PMID: 36809248 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) egresses from infected hepatocytes as quasienveloped particles containing open reading frame 3 (ORF3) protein. HEV ORF3 (small phosphoprotein) interacts with host proteins to establish a favourable environment for virus replication. It is a functional viroporin that plays an important role during virus release. Our study provides evidence that pORF3 plays a pivotal role in inducing Beclin1-mediated autophagy that helps HEV-1 replication as well as its exit from cells. The ORF3 interacts with host proteins involved in regulation of transcriptional activity, immune response, cellular and molecular processes, and modulation of autophagy, by interacting with proteins, DAPK1, ATG2B, ATG16L2 and also several histone deacetylases (HDACs). For autophagy induction, the ORF3 utilizes non-canonical NF-κB2 pathway and sequesters p52NF-κB and HDAC2 to upregulate DAPK1 expression, leading to enhanced Beclin1 phosphorylation. By sequestering several HDACs, HEV may prevent histone deacetylation to maintain overall cellular transcription intact to promote cell survival. Our findings highlight a novel crosstalk between cell survival pathways participating in ORF3-mediated autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Prudhvi Lal Bhukya
- Division of Hepatitis, National Institute of Virology, Pune, India
- ICMR-National Animal Resource Facility for Biomedical Research, Hyderabad, India
| | | | - Neha Bhise
- Division of Hepatitis, National Institute of Virology, Pune, India
| | - Kavita S Lole
- Division of Hepatitis, National Institute of Virology, Pune, India
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Dual Infection of Hepatitis A Virus and Hepatitis E Virus- What Is Known? Viruses 2023; 15:v15020298. [PMID: 36851512 PMCID: PMC9965669 DOI: 10.3390/v15020298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral hepatitis is an infection of human hepatocytes resulting in liver damage. Dual infection of two hepatotropic viruses affects disease outcomes. The hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) are two enterically transmitted viruses; they are single-stranded RNA viruses and have common modes of transmission. They are transmitted mainly by the fecal-oral route and ingestion of contaminated food, though the HAV has no animal reservoirs. The HAV and HEV cause acute self-limiting disease; however, the HEV, but not HAV, can progress to chronic and extrahepatic infections. The HAV/HEV dual infection was reported among acute hepatitis patients present in developing countries. The impact of the HAV/HEV on the prognosis for acute hepatitis is not completely understood. Studies showed that the HAV/HEV dual infection increased abnormalities in the liver leading to fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) with a higher mortality rate compared to infection with a single virus. On the other hand, other reports showed that the clinical symptoms of the HAV/HEV dual infection were comparable to symptoms associated with the HAV or HEV monoinfection. This review highlights the modes of transmission, the prevalence of the HAV/HEV dual infection in various countries and among several study subjects, the possible outcomes of this dual infection, potential model systems for studying this dual infection, and methods of prevention of this dual infection and its associated complications.
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40
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In Vitro Replication of Swine Hepatitis E Virus (HEV): Production of Cell-Adapted Strains. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13020276. [PMID: 36670816 PMCID: PMC9854997 DOI: 10.3390/ani13020276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis E caused by the virus HEV of genotypes HEV-3 and HEV-4 is a zoonotic foodborne disease spread worldwide. HEV is currently classified into eight different genotypes (HEV-1-8). Genotypes HEV-3 and HEV-4 are zoonotic and are further divided into subtypes. Most of the information on HEV replication remains unknown due to the lack of an efficient cell cultivation system. Over the last couple of years, several protocols for HEV cultivation have been developed on different cell lines; even if they were troublesome, long, and scarcely reproducible, they offered the opportunity to study the replicative cycle of the virus. In the present study, we aimed to obtain a protocol ready to use viral stock in serum free medium that can be used with reduced time of growth and without any purification steps. The employed method allowed isolation and cell adaptation of four swine HEV-3 strains, belonging to three different subtypes. Phylogenetic analyses conducted on partial genome sequences of in vitro isolated strains did not reveal any insertion in the hypervariable region (HVR) of the genomes. A limited number of mutations was acquired in the genome during the virus growth in the partial sequences of Methyltransferase (Met) and ORF2 coding genes.
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Davydov VV, Zhavoronok SV, Znovets TV, Tsyrkunov VM, Babenkа AS, Marchuk SI, Gasich EL, Novik TP, Alatortseva GI, Mikhailov MI, Zverev VV. Molecular epidemiological study of clinical cases of acute hepatitis E in Belarus. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, EPIDEMIOLOGY AND IMMUNOBIOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.36233/0372-9311-328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Relevance. The frequency of occurrence of anamnestic antibodies to the hepatitis E virus (HEV) in the general population of the Republic of Belarus is 7.3%, which is clearly not consistent with the low incidence of hepatitis E (HE). Most of primary HEV infections remain undiagnosed. The intensive epidemic process of HEV in the Belarusian population is hidden. Conducting epidemiological studies, including genotyping of HEV sequences isolated on the territory of the republic, makes it possible to more accurately characterize the sources of HEV infection and the mechanisms of its transmission.
Aim molecular epidemiological study of two cases of acute hepatitis E detected in patients from Belarus.
Materials and methods. During 20212022, samples of biological material were obtained from two patients undergoing treatment with an established diagnosis of acute hepatitis E. Serum samples were tested to detect antibodies to HEV using enzyme immunoassay, HEV RNA was detected in fecal samples using nested RT-PCR. The nucleotide sequence was determined by an automatic sequencer using the Sanger method. Analysis of nucleotide sequences, their genotyping, and calculation of evolutionary distances were performed using MEGA X software.
Results. The HEV sequence isolated from a pregnant woman who had an epidemiological episode of alimentary contact with raw pork meat is clustered into a common phylogenetic clade with HEV sequence obtained from the patient from Belarus with a history of kidney transplantation and HEV sequences isolated from a domestic pigs. The HEV sequence isolated from a patient with a history of travel to Pakistan belongs to the HEV genotype 1 and joins a clade of HEV sequences isolated in Pakistan, India, Nepal and Mongolia.
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Urine: a place where HEV cannot hide! Hepatology 2023; 77:1475-1477. [PMID: 36626637 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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43
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Lin S, Yang L, Zhang YJ. Hepatitis E Virus: Isolation, Propagation, and Quantification. Curr Protoc 2023; 3:e642. [PMID: 36652501 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) predominantly causes acute liver disease in humans and is transmitted via the fecal-oral route. HEV infection in pregnant women can result in grave consequences, with up to 30% fatality. The HEV strains infecting humans mainly belong to four genotypes. Genotypes 1 and 2 are restricted to human infection, while genotypes 3 and 4 are zoonotic. HEV genotype 3 (HEV-3) can cause both acute and chronic liver disease. Several cell lines (mainly hepatocytes) have been developed for HEV propagation and biological study. However, HEV production in these cell lines is suboptimal and inefficient. Here, we present methods for the isolation, propagation, and quantification of HEV. © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Isolation and propagation of hepatitis E virus in cultured cells from clinical HEV specimens Support Protocol 1: Quantification of HEV RNA by RT-qPCR Basic Protocol 2: Recovery of HEV from infectious cDNA clones and purification of the virus Support Protocol 2: Quantification of HEV live particles by infectivity assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoli Lin
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Liping Yang
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Yan-Jin Zhang
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Maryland Pathogen Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
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44
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Ju X, Dong L, Ding Q. Hepatitis E Virus Life Cycle. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1417:141-157. [PMID: 37223864 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-99-1304-6_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infects over 20 million people worldwide per year, leading to 30,000-40,000 deaths. In most cases HEV infection in a self-limited, acute illness. However, chronic infections could occur in immunocompromised individuals. Due to scarcity of robust cell culture models in vitro and genetic tractable animal models in vivo, the details of HEV life cycle, as well as its interaction with host cells still remain elusive, which dampens antivirals discovery. In this chapter, we present an update in the HEV infectious cycle steps: entry, genome replication/subgenomic RNA transcription, assembly, and release. Moreover, we discussed the future prospective on HEV research and illustrates important questions urgently to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Ju
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Dong
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Ding
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
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45
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Wang L, Wang Y, Zhuang H. Puzzles for Hepatitis E Virus. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1417:247-256. [PMID: 37223871 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-99-1304-6_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important but understudied virus that has been the major cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. In recent decades, our understanding of this neglected virus has changed greatly: novel forms of viral proteins and their functions have been discovered; HEV can transmit via blood transfusion and organ transplantation; HEV can infect many animal species and the number is still increasing; HEV can induce chronic hepatitis and extra-hepatic manifestations. However, we are short of effective treatment measures to counter the virus. In this chapter we tend to briefly introduce the puzzles and major knowledge gaps existed in the field of HEV research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Youchun Wang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China
| | - Hui Zhuang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
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46
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Peeters M, Schenk J, De Somer T, Roskams T, Locus T, Klamer S, Subissi L, Suin V, Delwaide J, Stärkel P, De Maeght S, Willems P, Colle I, Van Hoof M, Van Acker J, Van Steenkiste C, Moreno C, Janssens F, Reynders M, Steverlynck M, Verlinden W, Lasser L, de Galocsy C, Geerts A, Maus J, Gallant M, Van Outryve S, Marot A, Reynaert H, Decaestecker J, Bottieau E, Schreiber J, Mulkay JP, de Goeij S, Salame M, Dooremont D, Dastis SN, Boes J, Nijs J, Beyls J, Hens N, Nevens F, Van Gucht S, Vanwolleghem T. Viral clade is associated with severity of symptomatic genotype 3 hepatitis E virus infections in Belgium, 2010-2018. J Hepatol 2023; 78:67-77. [PMID: 36075495 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS HEV genotype (gt) 3 infections are prevalent in high-income countries and display a wide spectrum of clinical presentations. Host - but not viral - factors are reported to be associated with worse clinical outcomes. METHODS Demographic, clinical, and biochemical data laboratory-confirmed HEV infections (by PCR and/or a combination of IgM and IgG serology) at the Belgian National Reference Centre between January 2010 and June 2018 were collected using standardised case report forms. Genotyping was based on HEV open reading frame 2 sequences. Serum CXCL10 levels were measured by a magnetic bead-based assay. H&E staining was performed on liver biopsies. RESULTS A total of 274 HEV-infected individuals were included. Subtype assignment was possible for 179/218 viraemic cases, confirming gt3 as dominant with an almost equal representation of clades abchijklm and efg. An increased hospitalisation rate and higher peak serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase were found in clade efg-infected individuals in univariate analyses. In multivariable analyses, clade efg infections remained more strongly associated with severe disease presentation than any of the previously identified host risk factors, being associated with a 2.1-fold higher risk of hospitalisation (95% CI 1.1-4.4, p = 0.034) and a 68.2% higher peak of bilirubin levels (95% CI 13.3-149.9, p = 0.010), independently of other factors included in the model. In addition, acute clade efg infections were characterised by higher serum CXCL10 levels (p = 0.0005) and a more pronounced liver necro-inflammatory activity (p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS In symptomatic HEV gt3 infections, clade efg is associated with a more severe disease presentation, higher serum CXCL10 levels, and liver necro-inflammatory activity, irrespective of known host risk factors. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION The protocol was submitted to clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04670419). IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS HEV genotype (gt) 3 infections display a wide spectrum of clinical presentations currently ascribed to host factors. Here we examined the role of viral factors on liver disease outcomes by combining viral phylogeny with clinical, biochemical, cytokine, and histological data from 274 Belgian adults infected with HEV presenting between 2010 and 2018. HEV gt 3 clade efg infections were associated with a more severe disease presentation, higher serum CXCL10 levels and liver necro-inflammatory activity, irrespective of known host risk factors. HEV gt3 clade-dependent clinical outcomes call for broad HEV gt3 subtyping in clinical practice and research to help identify those at higher risk for worse outcomes and to further unravel underlying virus-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Peeters
- Sciensano, Infectious Diseases in Humans, Viral Diseases, National Reference Centre of Hepatitis Viruses, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Julie Schenk
- University of Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute, Centre for Health Economic Research and Modelling Infectious Diseases, Antwerp, Belgium; Hasselt University, Data Science Institute, Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Thomas De Somer
- University Hospital Antwerp, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Antwerp, Belgium; Maria Middelares Hospital, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tania Roskams
- KU Leuven, Pathology, Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tatjana Locus
- Sciensano, Infectious Diseases in Humans, Viral Diseases, National Reference Centre of Hepatitis Viruses, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sofieke Klamer
- Sciensano, Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lorenzo Subissi
- Sciensano, Infectious Diseases in Humans, Viral Diseases, National Reference Centre of Hepatitis Viruses, Brussels, Belgium; European Public Health Microbiology Training Program (EUPHEM), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vanessa Suin
- Sciensano, Infectious Diseases in Humans, Viral Diseases, National Reference Centre of Hepatitis Viruses, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean Delwaide
- University Hospital Liege, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Liege, Belgium
| | - Peter Stärkel
- Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc (CUSL), Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | - Isabelle Colle
- A.S.Z. Aalst, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Aalst, Belgium; Ghent University Hospital, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marc Van Hoof
- Clinique Saint-Luc, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Bouge, Belgium
| | - Jos Van Acker
- AZ Sint-Lucas, Clinical Microbiology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christophe Van Steenkiste
- University Hospital Antwerp, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Antwerp, Belgium; Maria Middelares Hospital, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christophe Moreno
- CUB Hôpital Erasme, Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatopancreatology and Digestive Oncology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Filip Janssens
- Jessa Hospital, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Marijke Reynders
- AZ Sint-Jan Brugge-Oostende AV, Medical Microbiology, Laboratory Medicine, Brugge, Belgium
| | | | - Wim Verlinden
- University Hospital Antwerp, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Antwerp, Belgium; Vitaz, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, Viral Hepatitis Research Group, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Luc Lasser
- CHU Brugmann, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Anja Geerts
- Ghent University Hospital, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Maus
- ZNA Middelheim, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marie Gallant
- Jan Yperman Ziekenhuis, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Ieper, Belgium
| | | | - Astrid Marot
- CHU UCL Namur, Université Catholique de Louvain, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yvoir, Belgium
| | - Hendrik Reynaert
- University Hospital UZ Brussel, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | - Jonas Schreiber
- CHIREC Delta Hospital, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | - Mikhaël Salame
- Centre Hospitalier Régional Haute Senne, Soignies, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Jochen Nijs
- Sint-Trudo Ziekenhuis, Department of Gastroenterology, Sint-Truiden, Belgium
| | - Jan Beyls
- Sint-Andriesziekenhuis, Department of Gastroenterology, Tielt, Belgium
| | - Niel Hens
- University of Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute, Centre for Health Economic Research and Modelling Infectious Diseases, Antwerp, Belgium; Hasselt University, Data Science Institute, Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Frederik Nevens
- University Hospitals KU Leuven, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steven Van Gucht
- Sciensano, Infectious Diseases in Humans, Viral Diseases, National Reference Centre of Hepatitis Viruses, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Thomas Vanwolleghem
- University Hospital Antwerp, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Antwerp, Belgium; University of Antwerp, Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, Viral Hepatitis Research Group, Antwerp, Belgium.
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47
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He Q, Zhang Y, Gong W, Zeng H, Wang L. Genetic Evolution of Hepatitis E Virus. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1417:59-72. [PMID: 37223859 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-99-1304-6_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Comparative analysis of the genomic sequences of multiple hepatitis E virus (HEV) isolates has revealed extensive genomic diversity among them. Recently, a variety of genetically distinct HEV variants have also been isolated and identified from large numbers of animal species, including birds, rabbits, rats, ferrets, bats, cutthroat trout, and camels, among others. Furthermore, it has been reported that recombination in HEV genomes takes place in animals and in human patients. Also, chronic HEV infection in immunocompromised individuals has revealed the presence of viral strains carrying insertions from human genes. This paper reviews current knowledge on the genomic variability and evolution of HEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyu He
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yulin Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Wanyun Gong
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Hang Zeng
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
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48
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Wang Y, Zhao C, Qi Y, Geng Y. Hepatitis E Virus. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1417:1-13. [PMID: 37223855 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-99-1304-6_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Since the sequence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) was determined from a patient with enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis in 1989, similar sequences have been isolated from many different animals, including pigs, wild boars, deer, rabbits, bats, rats, chicken, and trout. All of these sequences have the same genomic organization, which contains open reading frames (ORFs) 1, 2, and 3, although their genomic sequences are variable. Some have proposed that they be classified as new family, Hepeviridae, which would be further divided into different genera and species according to their sequence variability. The size of these virus particles generally ranged from 27 to 34 nm. However, HEV virions produced in cell culture differ in structure from the viruses found in feces. Those from cell culture have a lipid envelope and either lack or have a little ORF3, whereas the viruses isolated from feces lack a lipid envelope but have ORF3 on their surfaces. Surprisingly, most of the secreted ORF2 proteins from both these sources are not associated with HEV RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youchun Wang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China.
| | - Chenyan Zhao
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-Transmitted Virus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Qi
- Division of HIV/AIDS and Sex-Transmitted Virus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Yansheng Geng
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Hebei Province, School of Public Health, Hebei University, Baoding, China
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49
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Sayed IM, Abdelwahab SF. Is Hepatitis E Virus a Neglected or Emerging Pathogen in Egypt? Pathogens 2022; 11:1337. [PMID: 36422589 PMCID: PMC9697431 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Though Egypt ranks among the top countries for viral hepatitis and death-related liver disease, Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a neglected pathogen. Living in villages and rural communities with low sanitation, use of underground well water and contact with animals are the main risk factors for HEV infection. Domestic animals, especially ruminants and their edible products, are one source of infection. Contamination of water by either human or animal stools is the main route of infection. In addition, HEV either alone or in coinfection with other hepatotropic viruses has been recorded in Egyptian blood donors. HEV seropositivity among Egyptian villagers was 60-80%, especially in the first decade of life. Though HEV seropositivity is the highest among Egyptians, HEV infection is not routinely diagnosed in Egyptian hospitals. The initial manifestations of HEV among Egyptians is a subclinical infection, although progression to fulminant hepatic failure has been recorded. With the improvement in serological and molecular approaches and increasing research on HEV, it is becoming clear that HEV represents a threat for Egyptians and preventive measures should be considered to reduce the infection rate and possible complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim M. Sayed
- Department of Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Sayed F. Abdelwahab
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
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50
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Costafreda MI, Sauleda S, Rico A, Piron M, Bes M. Detection of Nonenveloped Hepatitis E Virus in Plasma of Infected Blood Donors. J Infect Dis 2022; 226:1753-1760. [PMID: 34865052 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transfusion-transmitted hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections have raised many concerns regarding the safety of blood products. To date, enveloped HEV particles have been described in circulating blood, whereas nonenveloped HEV virions have only been found in feces; however, no exhaustive studies have been performed to fully characterize HEV particles in blood. METHODS Using isopycnic ultracentrifugation, we determined the types of HEV particles in plasma of HEV-infected blood donors. RESULTS Nonenveloped HEV was detected in 8 of 23 plasma samples, whereas enveloped HEV was found in all of them. No association was observed between the presence of nonenveloped HEV and viral load, gender, or age at infection. However, samples with HEV-positive serology and/or increased levels of liver injury markers contained a higher proportion of nonenveloped HEV than samples with HEV-negative serology and normal levels of liver enzymes. These results were further confirmed by analyzing paired donation and follow-up samples of 10 HEV-infected donors who were HEV seronegative at donation but had anti-HEV antibodies and/or increased levels of liver enzymes at follow up. CONCLUSIONS The HEV-contaminated blood products may contain nonenveloped HEV, which may pose an additional risk to blood safety by behaving differently to pathogen inactivation treatments or increasing infectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Isabel Costafreda
- Catalan Blood Bank (Banc de Sang i Teixits de Catalunya), Transfusion Safety Laboratory, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research, Vall d'Hebron Universitary Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Sauleda
- Catalan Blood Bank (Banc de Sang i Teixits de Catalunya), Transfusion Safety Laboratory, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research, Vall d'Hebron Universitary Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Angie Rico
- Catalan Blood Bank (Banc de Sang i Teixits de Catalunya), Transfusion Safety Laboratory, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Piron
- Catalan Blood Bank (Banc de Sang i Teixits de Catalunya), Transfusion Safety Laboratory, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research, Vall d'Hebron Universitary Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Bes
- Catalan Blood Bank (Banc de Sang i Teixits de Catalunya), Transfusion Safety Laboratory, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research, Vall d'Hebron Universitary Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
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